The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 404 - 277 We Will All Be Redeemed

Chapter 404: Chapter 277 We Will All Be Redeemed

Horus was very happy.

As the third-ranking figure in Trolian and the Archbishop of the Holy Church, he hadn’t smiled like this in a long time.

Since the structure of the Holy Fire Source showed signs of collapse, dark clouds had constantly loomed over his head, and the heavy pressure made it impossible for him to smile.

But now, from the moment he opened his eyes, he unconsciously had a smile on his face.

Everyone felt that their Archbishop, who was as rigid as dead wood, had sprouted and was experiencing a second spring.

And all of this was because of Rod.

The victory at Star Town thoroughly proved that expansion was feasible and sustainable. Rod’s expedition team achieved gains beyond anyone’s imagination with minimal input.

The initial investment from the Royal City was merely a battle group of one hundred people and supplies for one hundred people.

A giant true silver vein, extremely precious sun crystal mines, a piece of purified and extremely fertile land, and more living space; any one of these gains far exceeded the total expenditure by countless times.

The True Silver Vein greatly enriched the resources of the Royal City, enabling many warriors to wear armor and weapons containing true silver.

The sun crystal mine even alleviated the huge deficit in the Royal City. Each day, more than thirty people were able to undergo Spiritual Power Level upgrade ceremonies because of the sun crystals mined from Star Town, no longer hindered by an inability to advance in Spiritual Energy training.

Thirty people might not seem like many, but it adds up to more than ten thousand over a year.

This increase in combat power was not to be underestimated.

And food is the cornerstone of all.

Many lands, even after purification, are not suitable for cultivation. The life essence of the Holy White Tree only works on highly fertile lands.

And the current food production in Trolian is actually not enough to support the consumption of the population; it was only by relying on previous reserves that they had managed to hold on this far.

Ghost Spirit Lake can not only grow crops but also breed meat clams. The expected food production is far from ordinary.

But the new living space is their most important gain.

The Royal City was far too crowded. The densely populated slums bred too much filth and sin, and the extremely harsh living conditions had turned it into a breeding ground for the Doomsday Cult, causing chaos troubling everyone in the Royal City.

Since the ignition of Star Town, however, a large number of poor people had been accommodated, providing them with new jobs.

With income, they not only had food, water, and houses but also dignity.

The priests of Star Town described it to the Holy Church in their reports:

"... Everyone regained their belief in fire. They earn compensation and happiness through the labor of their hands and know that every drop of their sweat is valuable and contributes to the Royal City’s victory against darkness."

And for those who survive in this dark world, nothing is more important than faith.

It is the blood flowing through their bodies, the spirituality permeating their souls, more precious than all rare materials.

Trolian’s survival in such a desperate environment to this day is because there has always been a group of people clinging to this fantastical belief.

If they lost this belief, the last Kingdom of humanity would also collapse thunderously.

And everything happening in Star Town also served as a warning bell for the Royal City.

The Supreme Council realized for the first time that so many people had already lost their faith in fire and degenerated into worms only willing to writhe in their warm beds.

Rod had fought for humanity under such harsh conditions, yet so many people were stabbing him in the back. The slightest misstep would have wiped out the expedition team long ago.

Trolian, just showing signs of recovery from heavy losses due to the black tide and abnormal celestial phenomena, took a sudden nosedive.

Even if the Royal City later deployed high-ranked combat forces to reclaim Star Town, the blow to faith was irrevocable, and another new star of humanity had fallen before blossoming.

It was a heartbreaking loss.

They actually made their moves without hesitation.

In fact, Star Town had reported anomalies to the Supreme Council more than once, but First Elder Amendo always thought it was a trick being used by Rod and didn’t take it seriously.

After multiple reports, they only conducted a routine self-check.

But no one expected that some would really break through the bottom line, not only covertly sabotaging Star Town but even directly assaulting it.

This was no different from the acts of the Doomsday Cult.

During the investigation, an outraged Amendo shockingly discovered that the reports presented to him had been specially modified, each detail hinting that Rod was a liar full of false pretenses, boastfulness, and vanity.

If Trolian were compared to a ship sailing on the dark sea, its helmsman would be the First Elder.

The helmsman being misled was an extremely dangerous signal.

Amendo, never having been so angry before, immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.

At the same time, his stance had begun to lean toward the King.

This was simple logic.

Anything that the Doomsday Cult so feared and so desperately tried to prevent must undoubtedly be enormously beneficial to Trolian.

The "Book of Destiny Death" is a Demi Divine Artifact with many functions, the most important of which is to foresee the future of fate. The Doomsday believers who possess it might have glimpsed certain omen.

Another reason for Amendo’s change of stance was the White Tower. Both "King in White Robes" Meredith and "Calamity" Iyeta had given a positive prophecy.

Thus, without hesitation, Amendo delegated substantial authority to Horus to immediately rectify the Royal City.

However, although his stance had changed, Amendo did not immediately approve the King’s new laws and further expansion plans.

Turning the bow of Trolian’s giant ship is a very cautious affair.

Rod must completely clear the area around Star Town and establish an effective defense system before he and the Elder Council will recognize the King’s plans.

And this was the reason Horus was incomparably delighted.

Amendo did not state it explicitly, but Horus knew that the First Elder was already prepared to turn around.

For the first time in Royal City, the Archbishop’s orders flowed without obstacle, his restraints disappeared overnight, the dissenters collectively silenced, and the Judgers, Judges, and Clergy conducted house-to-house searches throughout Royal City.

Although they had hidden well, destroying a lot of clues and evidence, it was merely a delay.

Before long, he would uproot all those who had lost their faith in the fire, those who sabotaged the expedition to Star Town.

Horus had never been so spirited before.

And all these changes were brought about by that little guy who was once underestimated by everyone.

The sole reason he was chosen to execute the Holy Fire plan was because of that last soul transmission from Theodore.

Horus was immensely moved.

He gazed towards the distant Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground, the towering red buildings obscured everything, but he knew the anomaly in the Holy Fire continued, the turbulence in the Sea of Source was unprecedented.

However, he was no longer anxious, for the dawn of victory had appeared, and bright hope filled his heart.

As the spiritual leader of Trolians, Horus felt for the first time that he was saved by someone.

Just one more step.

He thought.

As long as the little guy quickly clears the Black Water Swamp and Isone Ruins, the hardest first step of the Holy Fire plan would be taken.

If the Holy Fire plan succeeds, not only would it remove the greatest crisis Trolian has ever faced, but the Holy Fire would become even stronger.

The Fire Holy Grail, directly connected to the power of the Holy Fire, would grow stronger, and the Fire Trial would ignite more souls, granting ignited souls more power, enabling more people to become Fire Holders.

Fire Holders are the main force against the darkness, and only with more and stronger Fire Holders can the invasion of the black fog be resisted, and Trolian have a greater chance of extending fire and civilization in this dark world.

Even achieving the ultimate victory.

Quicker, quicker.

It was the first time Horus felt such urgency in his heart.

King, please awaken quickly, Trolian needs your authority.

Only you can completely stabilize this situation and eliminate all instability and variables.

——

——

In Star Town, more and more people were dissatisfied with Rod.

In their eyes, this leader with potential should continue to lead them to vigorous advances, to continue sweeping through surrounding areas, seize complete control of Star Town, and create a large new human stronghold.

Not indulging in romances.

Among all, Molly was the most dissatisfied.

She had repeatedly reminded Rod, urging him to focus mainly on tasks, asserting that if he became stronger and captured more victories, everything he desired could be provided by Royal City.

However, Rod seemed not to take it to heart.

Molly had never seen Rod meditate, train in Spiritual Energy, practice Fire Spark abilities, or engage in the training for igniting the Fire Spark.

Of course, personal qualities differ and training methods vary, and since Rod came from a secretive branch known for breakthroughs in combat, it was understandable.

But during regular days, he barely managed the affairs of Star Town.

If Rod lacked ability in this area, it would not matter, for Molly could manage everything; she traveled with the expedition team for this purpose, which was her fundamental job.

But he clearly had the capability.

Without exaggeration, ninety percent of everything currently in Star Town was brought by him; Molly considered herself as only handling minor and trivial tasks, while Rod was the truly wise and versatile leader.

Yet this leader, after solving Star Town’s biggest crisis and winning an excellent situation for Star Town, had become obsessed with pleasing that Ominous one.

Molly had repeatedly approached him to report work and discuss further development plans, but he was always distracted, even the attraction of black silks to him had diminished, touching them briefly before withdrawing each time.

Worse still, just now, he had allocated eight million silver coins and gifted them to that Ominous one.

And to her sitting by his side, he hadn’t even reached out a hand.

More and more signs indicated that Rod might have been enchanted by that woman.

As a senior dispatcher of the General Military Department, Molly, who frequently dealt with Silver Oath and Taboo Armaments, knew very well that Mephit was a freak with three taboo characteristics.

One of those characteristics was mind control.

Molly had called for the Priest and Soul Master stationed in the new church in Star Town, but they found no traces of Rod being controlled.

His soul was as clear as crystal, without a trace of pollution visible.

It was said to be a miracle brought by the black barrel, capable of devouring filth and infection, preventing soul corruption.

The Main Priest of Star Town’s church told her that Rod’s spirit resistance was extremely high, almost impossible to be influenced externally.

Thus.

Only one possibility remained.

Molly instantly made up her mind.